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New-look Bulldogs have room to grow
• CHS girls wrestling program’s roster consists of six newcomers
Madeline Schultz and Kaylie Clindaniel
Ceres High School’s wrestling team has six first-year grapplers on its roster this winter, including Madeline Schultz and Kaylie Clindaniel. - photo by Dale Butler

The Ceres High School girls wrestling program’s roster looks drastically different from a season ago.

Veterans Jazzmin Suarez and Angelique Huerta were both lost to graduation.

Ceres High’s roster consists of six newcomers in Dominque Arendt (Jr., 137 pounds), Jazmyne Arendt (Jr., 150s), Makynzie Hale (So., 170s), Kaylie Clindaniel (Fr., 126s), Tiffany Rios (Fr., 131s) and Madeline Schultz (Fr., 160s).

“It’s a good base to build from,” said Curtis Hulstine, third-year head coach of the Bulldogs. “Every girl in that room is athletic. They all come from other sports. They’re all very talented. It’s good to see them come out of their shells and try something different.”

“I don’t have a problem with attendance and effort,” he added. “They all work hard. They’re all very dedicated. They’ve already expressed how much they enjoy wrestling. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them come back next year.”

Schultz has been named team captain.

“The team voted on it,” Hulstine said. “It’s kind of a rare thing for a freshman to be a team captain. That’s what the team wants. They see that leadership quality in her. She works hard in the room. She’s a good athlete in all the sports she does.”

Ceres High’s 2020-21 campaign consisted of just dual scrimmages for coronavirus-safety reasons. Playoffs were postponed for all sports because of a late start to the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bulldogs will compete against Beyer, Grace Davis, Johansen, Los Banos, Pacheco, Lathrop and Mountain House during the 2021-22 Western Athletic Conference season.

The WAC Tournament will be held on Feb. 5 at Grace Davis High School.

Ceres High had seven individuals medal at the WAC Championships during its last full season of competition in 2019-20. The Bulldogs placed fourth overall as a team. Los Banos, Pacheco, Mountain House, Beyer, Lathrop, Johansen and Grace Davis took first, second, third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.

“I’m not sure what other teams have this year,” Hulstine said. “I want to win matches. My biggest goal is getting them as much mat time as I can. You learn the most with experience. The sky is the limit for these girls.”